DIVYA DELHI : The Shahpur Kandi dam on the J&K-Punjab border is expected to be completed by March 31, according to J&K Water Resources Minister Javed Ahmed Rana. The project will prevent excess water from the Ravi river from flowing into Pakistan and provide irrigation to 32,173 hectares in Kathua and Samba districts of J&K and 5,000 hectares in Punjab. The dam, a national project, will also help manage irrigation in 1.18 lakh hectares in Punjab and generate 206 MW of hydropower. The project, delayed for decades due to funding and interstate issues, was revived in 2018 after intervention by PM Narendra Modi. Officials said the dam is a priority for drought-hit areas in Jammu and aims to optimize river water usage while supporting hydropower and irrigation needs.
